Oklahoma State football: Trouble with the curve

COLLEGE FOOTBALL / BOWL GAME: Oklahoma State's Tyler Johnson (40) pulls down Purdue's Robert Marve (9) during the Heart of Dallas Bowl football game between Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Purdue University at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Tuesday,Jan. 1, 2013. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

STILLWATER — Glenn Spencer looked the baseball player up and down, intrigued by what he saw and heard.

“He walked into my office a couple years ago,” Spencer said, “gave me that big old smile and said, ‘I'm Tyler Johnson, I'm having trouble hitting the curveball. And I was a pretty good high school football player…'

“He sure looked the part. I would have been an idiot to turn him away.”

Rather than risk such regret, Spencer — with Mike Gundy's blessing — agreed the former Haskell star and professional baseball bailout warranted a closer look.

“He's been a pleasant surprise,” Spencer said. “His attitude has been unbelievable. Great story.”

And the story continues, with Johnson, now a senior, projected for a starting role for the first time, plugging one of OSU's two vacancies at defensive end.

As a multisport standout at tiny Haskell, Johnson signed to play football with Tulsa in 2004. He started four years at linebacker and three at running back in high school, ranked as the state's No. 11 recruit by Rivals, yet he was good enough on the diamond to be drafted in the 12th round by the Angels.

Johnson went with the money, signing with the Angels that summer then spending six years mostly scuffling to rise through the ranks. He batted .244 for his career as a first baseman and outfielder, never climbing above Class A.

Through the struggles and the long bus rides and hot summer nights, Johnson still pushed to give baseball his best shot.

“A lot of the guys while I was there playing baseball were like, ‘Man, you should be playing football,'” Johnson said. “Of course, when those guys brought it up, it crossed my mind. But at that time, I was really focused on baseball.”

As he got older and progress and promotions failed to materialize, Johnson only then allowed himself to wonder.

“My fifth year as a professional, I started having these thoughts, ‘Am I really supposed to be playing baseball?'” Johnson said. “I thought about it and it was time for a change.

“And here I am now.”

And here in the nick of time.

With no returning regulars at defensive end and mostly young players competing for spots in the rotation, Johnson's role expands beyond his own opportunity to shepherding the others at the position.

MORE FROM NEWSOK

by John Helsley

OSU Reporter Sr.

John Helsley grew up in Del City, reading all the newspapers and sports magazines he could get his hands on. And Saturday afternoons, when the Major League Game of the Week was on, he'd keep a scorecard for the game. So the sports appeal was was...